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| National Active Surveillance for Tick-Borne Diseases (TickNET) | |
BackgroundIn the United States, there are ten recognized tick-associated human illnesses: Lyme disease (LD), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), tularemia, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF), Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis, and babesiosis. These tick-borne diseases (TBDs) account for the majority of vector-borne infections reported in the United States . Nearly 20,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the CDC in 2006, ranking it among the ten most common infectious diseases in the nation. Several TBDs can cause severe morbidity and even death. At present, five of the ten TBDs (Lyme disease, RMSF, HGA, HME, and tularemia) are nationally notifiable. However, reporting for TBDs varies by state, and monitoring TBDs has been limited somewhat by diverse epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical issues. Changes in reporting requirements over time and in various states result in an inability to evaluate changes in TBD incidence temporally (especially for Lyme disease). Little is known about standard laboratory practices related to some of the TBDs, including types of assays used, diagnostic criteria, and testing volume. |
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PurposeWe propose to develop an integrated surveillance system for TBDs within EIP sites. This surveillance network will be based upon CDC's FoodNet model. This effort will include active physician and laboratory surveillance for TBDs and population-based studies. |
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ActivitiesAt present, we are conducting a survey within select EIP sites (CT, NY, MD, MN) to gain a better understanding of the current laboratory burden and laboratory practices regarding testing for LD and other TBDs. The results of the lab survey will help to inform development of the TickNET surveillance system protocol.
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Emerging Infections Program |
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